READ ABOUT IT, THEN...
Do ItYourself
TRAFALGAR (SEE PAGE S4)
GO THERE
Visit Cadiz
Though the 1805 Battle
of Trafalgar raging off
its shores foreshadowed
the decline of Cadiz, the
architecture of the city
still echoes the affluence
of its 18th-century hey
day. Located on Spain's
southern coast, Cadiz
is a city of watchtowers.
Used in the 1700s to
track shipping, friendly
and otherwise, the tow
ers now offer views of
the ports on Cadiz Bay.
The famous watchtower
known as the Torre
Tavira is surrounded
by shops and tapas bars
and houses a camera
obscura that projects
live images of the
cityscape. For more
information go to
torretavira.corn.
Sacramento Steet (top is still dominated by the Tone Tavira, built in the 18th century. Sun sets over the
Atlantic (above), where the French flagship Bucentaure sank after the Battle of Trafalgar. Before the battle,
as the Spanish fleet sailed from Cadiz, sailors turned In prayer toward the Iglesla del Carmen (right).
PICKS
3sea battles
British writer Simon Worrall,
author of this month's
story on Trafalgar, reflects
on other strategic British
victories at sea.
1588 Defeat of the
Spanish Armada Hostil
ities between Britain's
Elizabeth I and Philip II
of Spain finally came
to a head when Philip
ordered his fleet to attack
Kent. Foul weather and
poor leadership led
to Spain's defeat.
1798 Battle of the Nile
Admiral Horatio Nelson
led this decisive victory
for the British, who gained
control of the Mediterra
nean by destroying or
capturing most of Napo
leon's French fleet off the
coast of Egypt
1940 Second Battle
of Narvik Small but
significant, this early
World War IIbattle took
place off Narvik, Norway,
a major shipping port
for Swedish iron ore and
an important strategic
location for both the
British and the Germans.
The battle's outcome
marked Britain's first
major naval victory over
Germany in the war.
WHAT HAPPENED to
the Spanish warships after
the British victory at the
Battle of Trafalgar? Find out
at ngm.com/0510/feature3.
COURTNEYPLATT(ALL)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC * OCTOBER 2005